Guests of all shapes and sizes can be found vacationing at Walt Disney
World Resort. We often get questions on the discussion boards from
concerned "larger" visitors in reference to having enough leg room, fitting
comfortably in
the various seats and/or restraints, riding on rides, and the roominess of the
many turnstiles they’ll encounter, to name a few.

Rest assured Disney has done a great job in making their theme parks user friendly
for all. It doesn't matter if you are as tall as Chewbacca or have a rounder
shape like the beloved Winnie the Pooh. However, these concerns can still cause angst
among travelers. In order to ease those fears we have compiled tips,
tidbits and advice from our INTERCOT Community. Here is what they had
to say on the subject;

INTERCOT
Feedback:

"I was
six foot tall and 350 weight when I went to Disney last year (I say was 350
as I've managed to shed a bit of the Pooh-ness.) I noticed two issues. One is
the back seat of
Test Track didn't give much leg room so my knees were
pressed pretty hard against the seat in front of me, and on
Space Mountain I
had some leg room issues (don't remember where I sat) but I was able to ride
every ride with no problem." - Schda

"Though
I am only 140 lbs and 5'7", I have very long legs for my height and I have
found that the front seat of the cars on Space Mountain provide very little
leg room. I am not that tall, yet I always seem to have to sit crossed
legged in the front seat."
- April Showers

"My Dear Husband
(DH)
and I are shorter, but definitely "pooh-sized". We find that most rides are
rather comfortable, which is one of the reasons that we like to go to Walt Disney World
over other theme parks.

When DH and I ride together (we are both each over 230 pounds) we have no
problem with both of us fitting in most rides that are meant for two (bench
rides). The only ride that we each took one bench to ourselves was the
Aladdin carpet ride. On rides where a lap bar comes down, we find that the
bars usually come down to a comfortable level.
Most theater seats are wide enough, although a little tight with my wider
hips, but not impossible to sit through the show, get in or out of. The only
"uncomfortable" time I had was in "Honey I Shrunk The Audience" when I sat between
my husband and a man who
was a large man himself, I was a little squished.

The only ride that I find hard to do is Space Mountain. I find that the
seats are big enough, but the restraint digs into my stomach when we go
around those tight turns and sudden, quick drops.
The biggest complaint I have is those awful turnstiles - - they really are a
pain!! I go in sidewise, or just ask/go through the accessible
entrance/swing gate (like
Jungle Cruise and
Pirates of the Caribbean). Many times, a Cast Member will open it up as we
approach and we thank them and have a quick chat!

We go at very un-crowded times, and I find it much easier to handle. More
personal space, less people on rides and usually you can by-pass those
turnstiles and no one is even looking at you...." - Candi

"I'm a
very tall person. I'm 6'9'' and I weigh about 265 pounds, which really isn't
super heavy for my height. The front half of the cars on
both Rock 'n' Rollercoaster and Test Track have much more leg room than the
back half of the cars. Tall and/or pooh-sized folks should not ride in the
middle seat of a rocket on Space Mountain. While the front seat on the
rocket doesn't have much leg room, I can sit in it because there is no seat
in front of it blocking my knees.

However, people that are more pooh-sized
than me should probably avoid the front seat of a rocket on Space Mountain.
For both tall and pooh-sized riders, the back seat of a rocket on Space
Mountain is the best choice due to its extra leg room and larger seat.

The
vehicles for the
Backstage Studio Tour at MGM are a nightmare for tall
people because they provide very little legroom. From experience, I find
that the best way for tall people to fit into certain attractions is to
utilize what I call the "pretzel technique" by crossing your legs at the
ankles and spreading your knees as much as possible while still remaining
comfortable. On flat-bottom boat attractions (Small World, Pirates,
El Rio
del Tiempo,
Maelstrom), the front row has more
legroom than all of the other rows. I can fit in the other rows as long as
there aren't as many people in that row with me so that I can spread my legs
out more. I don't say anything to a Cast Member (CM) about my height unless it
becomes necessary, such as when a CM tries to put too many people in the
same row with me on the rows of benches rides (Kilimanjaro Safaris, Pirates,
Small World, etc.)." - Joe

"I'm a
large gal, and I didn't have any problems with any of the rides that I went
on. I was nervous about
Tower of Terror. When I went, they were phasing out the lap bar,
so I rode both with the bar and with the seat belt, and I didn't have any
problems with either one.

The only problems I did run into were the turnstiles on Pirates of the
Caribbean (POTC) &
Haunted Mansion. There was never an attendant around
on POTC, so I was able to unhook the chain to the left of the rightmost
turnstile and go in that way, hooking the chain back as I went. It's hard to
describe unless you've seen it (and it's been almost two years since I was
there, so it's even harder for me to remember).

At the Haunted Mansion, I just had to hold in my stomach, go in sideways and squeeze
through. It wasn't too bad, unless someone was behind me, and then I was a
wee bit embarrassed."
- Serena

"The
only ride I find uncomfortable in Walt Disney World is the
TriceraTop Spin. The bar pushes
down along way and the seats are very small!
Its strange I’ve been on three versions of this ride and Disney has the
worst cars by far!" - Kevin

"I am
6'3" and weigh 270. I can only remember being uncomfortable on the Teacups
(but I do them anyway because my kids love them). Also, my legs are always
tight when riding the Walt Disney World Railroad. I have never tried Goofy's
Barnstormer
or the Indy Speedway, but I hear that they can be done by Pooh-sized guests.
I can't think of any at the other parks. Go and have a great time! I doubt
you'll run into anything too embarrassing or uncomfortable." - David

"The
Teacups might be a little uncomfortable and some of the smaller turnstiles
at the Magic Kingdom might be kind of tight. Avoid CyberSpace Mountain at
Disney Quest
though since it may be a problem." - Liz

"I
don't know if this helps but my issue has been a height one and that's been
with Space Mountain. I'm 5'10 and its the most uncomfortable in the 'World'.
Imagine hurtling through space with your knees in your chest." -
TinkerbelleRoo

"Don't
worry. My husband is well over 300 and 6" tall. I am large too and we had no trouble
on any rides. Never felt too large or anything. The seatbelt on
Kali River
Rapids is too short for both of us so we just sat in separate seats. Not a
big deal at all." - catkrazy

"Some of the turnstiles at the Magic Kingdom are a bit tight (the one at
Pirates of the Caribbean is notorious!) but if you run in to an issue there,
feel free to use the gates. You don't need permission or assistance, just
walk on through. Have a great time! Walt Disney World is one of the most size-friendly
places I've ever been."
- pearlieq

"I can
say the following are the only rides you may have an issue with:

Add to these the VERY small, old turnstiles at Haunted Mansion and Pirates.
In both cases, just let the greeter know the turnstiles are uncomfortable
and they will back door you into the ride.
Also, when riding the Railroad, the turnstiles in Frontierland and on
Main Street are also the old small ones. My advice is to get on in Toontown
where the turnstiles are much wider/larger. Outside of these areas,
everywhere else on property either has a larger, adjustable turnstile or
the magic bars which is a counter with no turn thing at all, just counts
people as they go by.

Other Parks:

MGM
Star tours, may be uncomfortable and you may have an issue with the seatbelts.
Muppet Vision 3-D, small seats.

ANIMAL KINGDOM
Dinosaur, possible issue with seatbelt
Kali River Rapids, seatbelts may be tight, but they have extenders or you
can sit alone.

I hope this helps reduce some of the worry. I can understand how much it
stinks to not be able to fully enjoy your vacation because you are worried
about the rides." - Brother Bear

"The height thing can be a problem. I'm 6'4" and I have to squeeze into a
few of the coasters, but there's not anything I can't get into. I would
imagine someone a few inches taller than me would have problems fitting on
some of the coasters." LarryBoy

"I am
6'3" and was pushing nearly 300 last December and I had no problem on
anything except the Space Mountain attraction at Disney Quest. It wasn't the
weight but the height. I couldn't get the harness to compress my shoulders
enough to close. There is not an attraction at Walt Disney World I haven't been on. I've
even been on Mission: Space and it rocked!" - Disdude

"I am
quite big (height and weight) and have been to Walt Disney World many times. I am over 6' 5" and over 300 lbs and ride just about everything I
want." - HMFan

"Each
car at Rock 'n' Roller Coaster has 4 seats, 2 rows of 2 seats each. The design of each car
mimics a limo. The front row of each car has legroom that extends into the
front end of the limo. The back row has minimal legroom. You shouldn't have
a problem with the restraints at all, but the leg room in the back may be a
problem. Ask for the front row and you should have no problem at all. " - BSMickey

"Don't
be worried. The last time I went I was 290 at 5'4" and got on all the rides.
I never felt uncomfortable or out of place. I even rode the carousel, on a
horse!!! Have a blast." -
betsy82

"My
husband is 6'4" and weighs anywhere between 270 and 300 (depending on the
season, his mood, what sport season it is, what he ate for dessert). As he
says, he isn't fat - just big all over! He has a tough time in some rides
but he isn't excluded from any of them - he just finds things a little tight
- he finds Space Mountain to be among the tightest. The problem is not
really his girth, but because of his long legs. But, he is at Disney so he
grins and bears it!" - Eva

"From
personal experience, I can tell you that I have never had a major problem in
this area. Space Mountain is a little tight, as is
Thunder Mountain, but
nothing that prevented me from riding."
- Karen

"I have
never had a problem at Disney - I am not very tall, but I do have a large
tummy (at least Pooh sized). I even did tube slides at
Typhoon Lagoon
(sorry-I can't remember which one specifically) the wonderful Cast Members took one
look at me and very quietly said "just one minute, ma'am" - they slid the
tube under me and WHOOSH!- I was away just like many of my thinner
counterparts! I have never seen anyone turned away because of size at any of
the rides." - Deb

"I have to tell you, I am 6'4" and 330 lbs and I have ridden every ride in
all four parks except Dumbo and the Speedway. I and my partner, who is 5'6" and
340lbs. have not found any problem being able to ride ANY ride. Nor have we
ever had a bad experience from either guests or cast members regarding our
weight or the extra 5 second or so it occasionally take us to "un-wedge"
ourselves. A very few are somewhat uncomfortable and we are a tight squeeze
in some of the rides that are 2 across.

The tightest, I think is Splash mountain. Remember, I say it is tight not
that it is impossible to ride. Overall I am VERY impressed with Disney and
how they accommodate all types of people. Also, remember that you can request
to ride solo if you feel the ride will be too tight. We have never been
denied this in the handful of times we have requested it for comfort. My
advise to you is GO FOR IT. Have fun. Ride every ride you want to. Live the
magic." -
Chad

"Neither
my husband nor I are small and we've never had any problems except on one ride. I
don't know what the Cast Member was thinking but she put 2 of us in one ship on
Astro
Orbiter. It was so uncomfortable and we could hardly get out. We laughed the
whole time though because our ship wouldn't go very high with both of us in
it. It's a memory that still makes us laugh but besides that we've never had
any problems at all. Have a great time and take everything in stride." - Niamh

"I
learned last trip to ask for a seat in the front half of the cars on Rock 'n'
Rollercoaster. There's lots more legroom for tall folks!"
- CaptSmee

*Special thanks to everyone that contributed content for this page. If
you have a story to share or a tip to pass along, please send it to
guestrelations@intercot.com
and we'll add it to this page.

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